Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Hiroshima No Pika
My first reaction after reading after reading Hiroshima No Pika was simply, “Wow.” The book was the definitely the most graphic, violent, and blunt one I’ve ever read. The cover itself is very controversial-a naked woman, with her breasts exposed is being held by a man, as she cradles a young child. The readers are taken into a young girl’s point of view with her mother and father after a bomb is dropped on her city, Hiroshima. Readers are taken through her journey to get help for her dad, and hear about all fire, destruction, and dead people she sees, which is extremely graphic, especially for young elementary students. I know that wars might be taught in elementary school, but I feel like at this age, they do not need to know all about the graphic and violence issues yet-they are still too young. Hence, I do not think this book should be read in elementary school. I could see it scaring children, thinking that a bomb is going to drop in their town as well, especially with the words of war and such being thrown around in our society today of what’s going on in the middle east.
Even though the illustrations are too graphic, they are still illustrated well. I like how the illustrator uses sort of a fantasy/spiritual tone with his pictures. Obviously, it’s probably very hard to illustrate a book that has to do with bombs and people dying, and I think the illustrator does an excellent job at it.
Even though the illustrations are too graphic, they are still illustrated well. I like how the illustrator uses sort of a fantasy/spiritual tone with his pictures. Obviously, it’s probably very hard to illustrate a book that has to do with bombs and people dying, and I think the illustrator does an excellent job at it.
Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman and Caroline Binch is definitely a book I would incorporate into my future classroom. The story is about a little African-American girl who loves to use her imagination and play different roles of people. Her teacher announces that the class has an upcoming play of Peter Pan, and the little girl announces she would like to try out for the part. Students say make comments saying she cant be Peter Pan because she is a girl and black, and Peter Pan is neither. The girl’s Nana takes her to the ballet Romeo and Juliet, and the girl sees that the main character is black, which inspires her to do her best and try out for the role. She ends up getting the part, and does a wonderful job at it.
Despite the controversial issue of the little girl being told by classmates that she can’t be Peter Pan because she’s a girl and black, I think a very good lesson could be learned from this situation for students of all ages. This would specifically work well in a multicultural classroom, where comments like the one in the story could definitely be going on. This book is a great example of how no matter what the students’ sex and race, they can be anything they want to be, and factors such as those should not restrain anyone from doing what he or she wants to do. In addition the pictures in the book are very interesting to look at-they are painted in watercolor, very detailed, and very colorful.
Despite the controversial issue of the little girl being told by classmates that she can’t be Peter Pan because she’s a girl and black, I think a very good lesson could be learned from this situation for students of all ages. This would specifically work well in a multicultural classroom, where comments like the one in the story could definitely be going on. This book is a great example of how no matter what the students’ sex and race, they can be anything they want to be, and factors such as those should not restrain anyone from doing what he or she wants to do. In addition the pictures in the book are very interesting to look at-they are painted in watercolor, very detailed, and very colorful.
The Stupids Die---??
No pun intended, but I think The Stupids Die by Harry Allard was one of the stupidest books I have ever read. First of all, the cover has nothing to do with the story. It’s all yellow, and just has an outline of a little boy’s upper body and it just says “Kid” on the whole entire cover. Just the fact that the last name of the family is Stupid, and that the author consistently refers to them as “the Stupid kids”, “Mrs. Stupid” is very controversial in itself. I know I would not want my kids reading a book where stupid was used and thrown around so much. In addition, Allard uses the word stupid to describe things going on. Stupid is definitely a word we do not want our children and students freely using like it is in this story. Now I can see how probably the majority of young students would love this book. At this age, they love silly, “stupid” humor and find it very amusing and entertaining. However, it is simply not appropriate. I did like how the author used humor in the pictures (the mom wearing a live-hen dress, using a sprinkler system to water the plants inside, the kid mowing the carpet), but Allard could have incorporated these pictures without the inappropriateness of the word “Stupid”.
Last, but not least, the ending of the story. First of all, the book is titled “The Stupids Die”, however, there is nothing about them dying in the book. The story ends with Mr. Stupid apologizing that nothing “stupid” happened that day, and them going to bed. I was so confused at the end of the book, it made absolutely no sense. In addition, the author uses “die” so freely in the title, which could easily offend some students, and make others feel uncomfortable. Overall, I would not suggest reading this book in your household, or classroom.
Last, but not least, the ending of the story. First of all, the book is titled “The Stupids Die”, however, there is nothing about them dying in the book. The story ends with Mr. Stupid apologizing that nothing “stupid” happened that day, and them going to bed. I was so confused at the end of the book, it made absolutely no sense. In addition, the author uses “die” so freely in the title, which could easily offend some students, and make others feel uncomfortable. Overall, I would not suggest reading this book in your household, or classroom.
Smoky Night
I have definitely seen the cover of Smoky Night by Eve Bunting, but didn’t think I had read it, so I decided to pick up this controversial book and take a look at it. Needless to say, even though it is a picture book, the content is complicated and I’m not sure many kids would understand what is actually happening in the story. The book starts off with a mom and her son looking out the window, and watching riots in the street. The story is told from the son’s point of view, and we are given an idea that the riot is about differences in race by some quotes. For example, the little boy explains, Mama says it’s better if we buy from our own people” and “Mrs. Kim yells at Jasmine in words I can’t understand. She is yelling the same kind of words now at the people who are stealing her stuff.” So we definitely get the idea that there is a race issue going on here, but I’m not sure if students reading the story would pick up on that at first.
The ending of the story spells out the issue a little easier for the student to comprehend. Throughout the story, the fact that the little boy’s cat and his neighbor, Mrs. Kim’s (who is Asian) cat do not get along, and they are of different color. After the fire happens at the apartment where the boy, his mom, and Mrs. Kim live, they are brought together in a church waiting room and notice the cats get along, and the boy invites Mrs. Kim to come over one day so that their cats can play together. This ties in with the idea that no matter what color you are (or your cat it) there is no excuse not to get along and start riots.
Again, as you can see, the book is pretty controversial. I’m not sure if I would incorporate this book into my teaching, but I guess it depends what grade I teach. I feel there are better stories that involve race and what not that explain what is happening in simpler terms. I think by reading this story to my class, I would frighten many students, and possibly get parents complaining that it is too violent or graphic for their age.
Aside from that, I did love the pictures in the book. The paintings in the book were done in acrylics on Arches watercolor paper. The backgrounds were of real life objects, which went according with what the text was talking about on that page.
The ending of the story spells out the issue a little easier for the student to comprehend. Throughout the story, the fact that the little boy’s cat and his neighbor, Mrs. Kim’s (who is Asian) cat do not get along, and they are of different color. After the fire happens at the apartment where the boy, his mom, and Mrs. Kim live, they are brought together in a church waiting room and notice the cats get along, and the boy invites Mrs. Kim to come over one day so that their cats can play together. This ties in with the idea that no matter what color you are (or your cat it) there is no excuse not to get along and start riots.
Again, as you can see, the book is pretty controversial. I’m not sure if I would incorporate this book into my teaching, but I guess it depends what grade I teach. I feel there are better stories that involve race and what not that explain what is happening in simpler terms. I think by reading this story to my class, I would frighten many students, and possibly get parents complaining that it is too violent or graphic for their age.
Aside from that, I did love the pictures in the book. The paintings in the book were done in acrylics on Arches watercolor paper. The backgrounds were of real life objects, which went according with what the text was talking about on that page.
And Tango Makes Three
Out of all the controversial books I read today, this one was my favorite. And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson, did a great job discussing the issue of homosexuality for children. The authors use two penguins at a zoo (based on a true story-how cool!) to explain the story of two male penguins doing all activities together and sleeping together. He even makes a reference to puberty by discussing how there becomes a time in everyone’s life where males and females begin to be partners and “sleep” together. The two male characters in the story care for an egg they find and eventually have a son, Tango.
Parnell and Richardson do wonderful job explaining homosexuality in simple terms for young children. Obviously this is a very controversial topic and one that is not easy to talk about as a teacher, but I feel this would be a great guide for a teacher to perhaps talk about homosexuality in a classroom. This especially goes for those students who have gay parents or know anyone close to them that is gay. It’s a great way to make them feel included and that families don’t always consist of a mom and dad.
Parnell and Richardson do wonderful job explaining homosexuality in simple terms for young children. Obviously this is a very controversial topic and one that is not easy to talk about as a teacher, but I feel this would be a great guide for a teacher to perhaps talk about homosexuality in a classroom. This especially goes for those students who have gay parents or know anyone close to them that is gay. It’s a great way to make them feel included and that families don’t always consist of a mom and dad.
The Giver
When assigned to read The Giver by Louis Lowry, I couldn’t remember if I had read it in junior high or not. I knew it was definitely a title I remember hearing a ton about while in junior high and high school, but after reading it nothing rang a bell to me so I guess I had never read it. The Giver immediately reminded me of a book I read in sophomore year of high school called Fahrenheit 451. Both novels have the futuristic, sameness/conformist society where people are “released” when they go against society or do not follow the rules.
I really liked the brave character of Jonas and think it’s awesome that he was chosen to be the receiver or memory. The whole time while reading the story I kept making predictions on what Jonas was actually going to do-obey the laws, or go against society. I’m so happy that he attempts to return emotion and meaning into the world, and also try to save baby Gabriel. I was not crazy about the ending-I hate endings that don’t give away an answer and keep you guessing on what might have happened. The story ends with what seems like Jonas getting hypothermia when making it to the mountain, so as the reader, we are unsure of
Society in The Giver definitely scares me. It is frightening to imagine a society that is actually run like that, with no choice or freedom whatsoever and with very limited technology. People can’t feel emotions such as sadness, love, beauty, family, etc. The Giver has things to say that really cannot be said to often, and I think this is possibly why it has been banned in certain school districts before. However, I would definitely want to incorporate this book into my curriculum if I were to teach middle school because I think it is a great read that really challenges the reader’s mind and makes them think.
I really liked the brave character of Jonas and think it’s awesome that he was chosen to be the receiver or memory. The whole time while reading the story I kept making predictions on what Jonas was actually going to do-obey the laws, or go against society. I’m so happy that he attempts to return emotion and meaning into the world, and also try to save baby Gabriel. I was not crazy about the ending-I hate endings that don’t give away an answer and keep you guessing on what might have happened. The story ends with what seems like Jonas getting hypothermia when making it to the mountain, so as the reader, we are unsure of
Society in The Giver definitely scares me. It is frightening to imagine a society that is actually run like that, with no choice or freedom whatsoever and with very limited technology. People can’t feel emotions such as sadness, love, beauty, family, etc. The Giver has things to say that really cannot be said to often, and I think this is possibly why it has been banned in certain school districts before. However, I would definitely want to incorporate this book into my curriculum if I were to teach middle school because I think it is a great read that really challenges the reader’s mind and makes them think.
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